(Wilmot, Wis., Saturday, July 24, 2021)--Clayton Rossmann of Wadsworth, IL set history winning the 20-lap Autometer/Brewington Electric Wisconsin wingLESS Sprint feature to close out the First Responder Night sponsored by Grand Foundation Saturday, July 24 at Wilmot Raceway.
A second generation driver following his dad, Pat, who won several street stock championships, at age 15 Clayton became the youngest sprint car feature winner in the over 50 years of Wilmot Raceway's existence.
Jimmy Sivia of Winthrop Harbor, IL took the initial lead keeping it through the main's first caution five laps into it. Rossmann hugged the low line on the restart getting two spots and moving into second. Sivia and Rossmann battled wheel to wheel throughout the next 10 circuits with Sivia sticking to the high side and Rossmann the low side. Rossmann powered past Sivia coming out of turn two with five laps remaining, able to shoot into the lead just prior to a final yellow flag four laps from the finish.
Rossmann maintained the lead to the checkered flag with Sivia second. Oconomowoc's Ryan Zielski was third. Trevor's Chris Dodd fourth. Tim Cox of Park City, IL fifth.
"I found I could get some bite on the bottom on the early restart after the caution," said Rossmann, joined by his family in victory lane after becoming the tenth different wingless feature winner at Wilmot this season. "I knew Jimmy would be pushing the cushion for all it's worth, so I just stuck to my low line. I have a lot of respect for Jimmy and the drivers in this class. Our goal was to make features, but I never thought we'd park it in victory lane this year. I have to thank my parents, for without their support I wouldn't be doing this. All my sponsors, everybody. This is unbelievable."
Rob Maule of Hebron, IL captured his fourth 20-lap street stock feature of the season. Maule took the lead from Pleasant Prairie's Josh Gehrig on the third lap, weathering a pair of cautions enroute to the victory. Cody Erickson of Algonquin, IL took second catching third place Gehrig in the closing laps. Pell Lake's Cody Potter was fourth. Muskego's Courtney Atkinson fifth.
"This was my kind of track, tacky with a lot of grip which allowed me to run wherever I wanted," said Maule. "I knew I had a lot of good cars coming, so I just stuck with my line. I thank all of the first responders who are with us. Thank them for all they do."
Salem's Ryan Johnson finally cracked the 20-lap Bandit 4-Cylinder Stock Car feature win column with a come from behind win. Mt. Pleasant's David McKellips held the lead from the drop of the green until a restart after a caution with four laps to go. Johnson took the lead coming out of turn four going on to the victory. Rick Zifko of Aurora, IL finished second in his first start of the season at Wilmot. D. McKellips was third. Jacob Reiter of DeKalb, IL fourth. Union Grove's Dale Ehleiter fifth.
"I was waiting to see if David would make a mistake," said Johnson, who became the fifth different feature winner in six Bandit mains this season. "He went just a little too high and that let me get past. Finally we got one."
Caledonia's Chris Carlson scored his eighth 20-lap modified feature win of the season in ten starts. Carlson overtook Genoa City's Mike Simons who held the top spot until Carlson overtook the point going down the backstretch with six laps to go just prior to a final caution. The yellow came when M. Simons spun in turn three. M. Simons night ended on the hook retiring to the pits due to mechanical problems.
Carlson went on to the win. Joe Huenefeld of Freeport, IL took second catching third place Genoa City's Nick Simons on the final lap. Danny Walter of Burlington was fourth. Union Grove's Joel Crowbridge fifth.
"Lee Sohns builds a great race car," said Carlson. "This car runs awesome. I hope the fans liked the show. My crew sets this car up perfectly. I'd like to get on another winning streak now."
Wilmot Raceway resumes action on Saturday, July 31 featuring Wingless Sprints, Modifieds, IRA Lightning Sprints and Bandit 4-Cylinder Stock Cars. Grandstands open at 5 p.m. with on track activity at 5:45 p.m. and racing at 6:30 p.m. Grandstand admission is $15.00 for adults ages 12 and over, $5.00 ages 7-11, with ages 6 and under admitted free. Pit gates open at 3 p.m. with pit passes $27.00.
For the latest updates phone the trackside raceline 262-862-2090, or check the website wilmotraceway.com or the official track Facebook page.
- Kim Tennyson on Jul 26, 2021
- Article Date: 7/26/2021 by Mike Babicz